A Corona woman was found stabbed to death in her second-floor apartment on 100th Street just after noon on Tuesday, December 29. She had been stabbed more than 40 times, police believe, by her boyfriend who has since fled the country for his homeland of Colombia.

Diana Boliver, 29, was last seen on Christmas Eve leaving a family gathering following a heated argument with her boyfriend, John German Castro Perez, with whom relatives said she had a rocky relationship. When Boliver failed to show up on Christmas Day to open presents as originally planned, her family grew worried and her sister called the 115th Precinct to report her missing.

Police went to Bolivar's home and knocked on the door, but no one answered and officers left the apartment building. On December 29, Bolivar's sister, Paolo Bolivar, called the police again, who this time broke into the apartment, which showed signs of a fierce struggle, and found Diana's mutilated body.

Investigators believe that Perez hacked Bolivar to death during a heated argument after returning from the Christmas Eve party, and then fled the city. Paolo Bolivar has charged that the police department's delay in investigating her sister's case allowed Perez to slip away.

In the days following the death, according to Paolo Bolivar, Perez tried to trick the family into believing that Diana was still alive, telling relatives that they were on a trip to Atlantic City and Pennsylvania and would be back in a couple of days. According to Paolo Bolivar, Perez even impersonated her dead sister in a text message to her.

Perez has since fled the country for his native Colombia. The office of Senator Charles Schumer has been contacted for assistance in having him extradited.

This is the second violent domestic incident in Corona in as many months. On November 21, Otto Herrarte was arrested on charges that he killed his wife, Edna Herrarte, and one of his sons and stuffed their bodies in a closet.

Mr. Herrarte told authorities that it was his alter-ego Roberto who committed the killings. Relatives of Mrs. Herrarte said that on several occasions they tried to convince her to leave her domineering husband.

The incidents sparked Assemblyman Jose Peralta, who represents the area, to call for the creation of a statewide Domestic Violence Task Force to analyze and review current domestic violence policies to stem domestic violence, as well as the best way to protect victims and urge them to come forward.

“We finish the year with the sound of domestic violence resonating in our community,” said Peralta. “A proper study of this multi-faceted issue is warranted and proper funding needs to be allocated if necessary.”